Java

Set Java path in window

May 28, 2022 by aAshish

It's fairly common to get the error 'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. even when you have installed the JDK and are able to run the program from IDE ex. eclipse etc. Since the path is not added to the environment by default. 


In case you get this on windows, to resolve, first try browsing to your javac.exe path, it's most probably in your C:\Program Files\Java\jdk(version number)\bin. Then try running it with below.


 $ C:\Program Files\Java\jdk(version number)\bin\javac HelloWorld.java

Previously when we were calling javac it was same as above command. Only in that case your OS knew where javac resided. So let's tell it now, this way you don't have to type the whole path every-time. We would need to add this to our PATH


To edit the PATH environment variable in Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10:

  • Control Panel ⇒ System ⇒ Advanced system settings 
  • Switch to "Advanced" tab ⇒ Environment Variables
  • In "System Variables", scroll down to select "PATH" ⇒ Edit 

You cannot undo this so be careful. First copy your existing path to notepad. Then to get the exact PATH to your javac browse manually to the folder where javac resides and click on the address bar and then copy it. It should look something like c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_xx\bin


In "Variable value" field, paste this IN FRONT of all the existing directories, followed by a semi-colon (;). DO NOT DELETE any existing entries.


Variable name  : PATH 

Variable value : c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_xx\bin;[Existing Entries...] 


Now this should resolve.